Chapter Seven
1860 Words
Marcus had always believed that desperation made men bold but he would soon learn that it also made them stupid because pride is louder than caution.
The card the stranger had given him sat on his desk, the number burning into his thoughts like a dare, an opportunity.
That was the word the man used, and Marcus had built his whole career on opportunities. But right now, he had none.
His company's investors were pulling back and his reputation had taken a quiet hit after Alina's engagement news.
People were whispering wherever he went. They wondered why a woman would leave him for Dante. He was 'safe', Dante wasn't.
Marcus hated being the subject of quiet judgment, so he dialled the number. The line picked up on the first ring.
"Good", the voice said. "Youre ambitious, just as I thought"
Marcus swallowed hard.
"What exactly do you want?"
"Nothing complicated", was the calm reply. "Just information"
"I already told you—"
"We know you spoke with her"
Marcus stiffened, "How do you know that?"
There was a pause, like impatience and rolling of eyes.
"Because we always watch"
He should have been scared, he should have asked questions that mattered, but classic Marcus was feeling important.
"What kind of information do you need?"
"Her routines, her moods, where she goes, people she visits, family and then what Russo does when he's not being a public saint"
Marcus hesitated for a bit, "If you're as dangerous as you want me to believe, can't you get all this information by yourself? Why do you need me? Besides, I don't even see her anymore"
"That can change", the man chuckled.
"How?", Marcus asked expectantly. Would he be having Alina all to himself again? Oh, the things he would do to her.
A faint chuckle came through the line, "Reckless men make reckless choices and create opportunities"
Marcus leaned back in his chair. He knew Dante was anything but reckless but if this was what he'd have to do to get Alina back, so be it.
"What's the endgame?"
"Let's just say… Dante Russo has taken something that doesn't belong to him"
Marcus frowned, "And what is that?"
"Power"
The call ended. Marcus stared at his phone and for the first time, he wondered exactly who he had just agreed to help.
——————
Days went by and at the Russo estate, the air felt heavier than usual. Security patrols moved constantly, cameras rotated and nothing slipped past unnoticed, except tension of course.
Alina felt it the moment she stepped into the dining room that evening.
Dante sat at the head of the table, reviewing documents. He barely looked up when she walked in.
"Do you work even at the dining table?", she asked smiling
"Youre late", he said, ignoring her question
"I wasn't aware I had a curfew"
"Where were you?"
"In the library"
"That wasn't the question"
She placed her napkin neatly on her lap.
"What was the question then, Dante? Because I know we both understand the language you just spoke. You asked where I was and I answered"
"You know exactly what I mean, Alina. Don't play games with me"
"Oh, you're interrogating me now?"
"Im verifying safety"
"Youre suffocating me, Dante"
His eyes finally lifted. They were dark and sharp.
"How can I make you understand that until this threat is resolved, your freedom is limited?"
His voice dropped slightly as he continued, "You will not argue with me concerning this again. I was hoping that by now, you'll understand"
"What if I refuse?", she asked, lifting her chin defiantly
"You've asked this question before and I'll give you the same response: You won't"
That certainly ignited something rebellious inside her.
"Stop deciding things for me. We shouldn't even be arguing while eating!", She dropped her fork with a clatter.
"Then stop pretending you can take care of yourself and understand the risks"
Their voices stayed calm and everything was quiet except their heavy breathing which filled the room like a cloud. The tension between them crackled like electricity.
Before she could respond, a voice cut through the room.
"Well, this is cozy"
Both of them turned in the direction the voice had come from. A woman stood in the doorway. She was tall, elegant and dangerously beautiful.
She wore a dark red dress, had long black hair which was tied in a tight ponytail and her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Her bright red lipstick was the last thing Alina saw that made her recognise her instantly.
Isabella.
She turned to look at Dante, demanding an explanation or introduction. But she could see he wasn't happy either, his expression had hardened instantly.
"Isabella, to what do I owe this visit?", he asked, suppressing his anger with little effort.
"Dante", she laughed and walked to meet him across the room.
She bent to kiss his cheek but he dodged instantly. Embarrassment slightly plastered on her face but she hid it so well.
"You didn't tell me you were getting married"
Alina studied the woman carefully. Since Dante would not introduce her, she'd better announce her own presence.
As if sensing her presence then, Isabella turned to acknowledge her.
"You must be the lucky bride", she said with contempt, not even bothering to hide it.
"And you must be the ex"
Isabella laughed softly, "Oh, sweetheart, I was much more than that"
She'd walked into the room like she owned the floor, the whole house.
She touched things, drew curtains, dusted mantel tops… just touching touching touching, driving Alina almost to the edge.
Sensing a fight brewing, Dante stood up.
"You weren't invited, Isabella. What exactly are you doing here?"
"You didn't invite me to your wedding. I didn't come for an invitation though. I came to see for myself"
"See what?", he asked
Her gaze moved to Alina. She was assessing her and she seemed amused.
"See the mystery woman. And I must say, I'm disappointed", she laughed hysterically.
Alina met her gaze calmly, her face crimson red.
"Disappointed at what exactly?", she asked, finally finding her voice and confidence. She pushed her chair back, took off the napkin from her lap and stood up.
Isabella was obviously a few inches taller, had a figure men would kill for and the way she walked, she commanded everyone everywhere with her presence.
"Well, I'm the so-called ex. Take a look at me dear. There were many others just like me. Dante could have done better", she smirked.
"Well, you're the past. But I'm here now… So the joke's on you"
Dante wanted to smile. He was proud of Alina… He'd wanted to interfere but decided to let this play out first, see how Alina would handle the pressure and she did just fine.
That earned another smirk from Isabella.
"I like her", she said, eyeing Dante
His patience had already thinned by now.
"What do you want?"
She leaned casually against the table.
"I already told you. But since that has been resolved, I want to congratulate you"
"Very unlikely"
"Oh, I'm being sincere", she looked at Alina again and continued "you must be very brave"
"Why", Alina asked
"Because loving Dante Russo is rarely safe"
Silence filled the room, an uncomfortable one.
"No one said anything about love"
Isabella's smile sharpened, "Of course not. But I'm a woman and I am smart enough to know when I see another woman in love or jealous"
She stepped closer to Alina, close enough to feel like a challenge.
"Just remember something", she continued softly, "men like Dante don't marry for love"
Alina tilted her head slightly, folding her arms against her chest.
"Then why were you with him? You loved him, but he didn't love you. Why did you stay since you're so smart"
"Oh darling, he didn't. I did though"
For a moment, the air froze. Then Dante spoke
"Leave"
Isabella's gaze flicked back to him.
"You've always been dramatic Dante. Take a chill pill"
"Youve always been reckless, Isabella. Get out"
That history hummer between them and Alina could feel it. The familiarity, the unfinished tension… Isabella leaned close to Dante briefly, maybe too close, making Alina's stomach tighten.
"I'll see you soon", she whispered.
Then she turned and walked out like a storm passing through.
Silence followed her exit, the atmosphere was heavy and charged. Alina looked at Dante for the first time since.
"You have interesting exes"
"Shes not relevant, and she's not interesting either"
"Well she walked into your house like she owned it"
"But she doesn't"
"But she thinks she does"
Dante walked back to the table and poured himself a drink slowly.
"Youre jealous"
Alina scoffed, "Jealous? Of her?"
"Yes"
"Oh please", she rolled her eyes and walked back to the table as well.
"Youre jealous", he repeated and this time, his dark eyes had little light in them.
He was having fun while she was seething.
"Youre happy? That's adorable. I'm not jealous"
"Youre lying"
"And you're crazy"
She began walking to the door angrily but stopped halfway and turned to him, "Next time someone from your past comes to evaluate me, I'd appreciate a warning"
"You handled her just fine"
"You see, that's not the point"
He stepped closer, "I like that you weren't intimidated by her"
"I wasn't"
His gaze dropped to her lips, "You were territorial"
Her pulse jumped slightly and suddenly she couldn't remember what they were fighting about.
"It's called self-respect", she managed to say
"Is it?"
They stood very close now, closer than usual. The tension shifted from anger to something else, something no one wanted to give a name to.
"You think she still matters to me?", he asked quietly
"I think history always matters"
"But not when it's finished"
For a moment, the room felt small. He cupped her face in his palm and she could feel his breath on her lips, hot, burning her skin.
His lips brushed hers slightly and she could swear she felt an electric spark. Her hands shot up to pull his head and smash her lips but fate wouldn't have it.
Just then, Victor rushed in.
Dante addressed him without releasing Alina.
"Someone had better been dead, Viktor"
"There's a problem, sir"
"What happened?"
"Marcus Hale tried to access the South Gate"
Alina froze, "What?"
"He drove directly into the security barrier!"
Dante's expression went completely cold.
"Is he alive?"
"Very much"
"Good. Bring him in"
Alina's eyes widened as she quickly stepped out and away from his hold, "You're bringing him inside?"
"Yes", he walked past her
"Why?", she threw her hands in the air frantically.
His voice dropped down to something dangerously calm, "Because reckless men eventually reveal their purpose. That'll save me a lot of time and stress"
He walked to the safe at the corner of the dining room, punched in some digits that happened to be the password and out came a gun.
Alina's eyes were so wide they would have popped out of their sockets.
Marcus was about to learn exactly what kind of world he had stepped into.
- Writer
